Some 3½ years after Elite Airlines’ last flight from Vero Beach left the airport without a passenger airline, American Eagle Flight 5650 from Charlotte, North Carolina, touched down nine minutes early at 11:21 a.m.
About a dozen spectators stood along a fence, watching as the silver CRJ-900 regional jet — with its red, white and blue tail — touched down.
A welcome salute with water cannons was put on hold while a Breeze Airways flight boarded its passengers and departed from the airport’s only gate.
VIPs were on hand to be part of the event.
«It puts us at capacity at the airport,» Councilman Aaron Vos said, «but it’s a great destination for the community because of the proximity to Asheville.»
Other City Council members pointed to Vero Beach’s new access to international flights since Charlotte is American’s second-largest U.S. hub.
The airport now has three scheduled passenger airlines: American, Breeze Airways and JetBlue.
Breeze Airways has been offering passenger service from Vero Beach since 2023. JetBlue’s Boston and New York flights began in December.